Means for producing novel effects in decoration and the like



Nov. 17, 1931. MobEs 1,832,408

MEANS FOR PRODUCING NOVEL EFFECTS IN DECORATION AND THE LIKE Filed May 13, 1930 INVENTOR BY 1' ATTO IZNIEY Patented Nov. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN H. MODES, F JAMAICA, NEW YORK MEANS FOR PRODUCING NOVEL EFFECTS IN DECORATION AND THE LIKE Application filed May 13, 1930. 7 Serial No. 451,909.

My invention relates to improvements in devices for decorative, display, and similar purposes in which a collapsible body is attached to a light socket and adapted to be Q inflated and illuminated. I

In the art of decorating interiors as practiced at present, it is not uncommon to devise varicolored ornaments of glass having artistic configurations, within which electric 10 light bulbs are adapted to be placed. These make attractive embellishments, particularly when illuminated, but are easily broken. and rather expensive to replace.

My invention relates to this art, and one of its objects is to provide improvements applicable thereto which will greatly widen the scope and variety of the decorative effects a tainable therein and at a very low cost.

Another object of the invention is to make available for theatrical purposes a great diversity of economical and simply constructed stage properties, which may be made luminous at will with striking effects.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel display features for outdoor and indoor gatherings or celebrations, which may be made, at the same time. to serve the double purpose of providing illumination and decorating the grounds or places where the same are to be held.

Another object of the invention is to afford an attractive illuminated medium for advertising purposes.

In carrying out my invention for the attainment of the foregoing and other objects, I equip an electric light socket with an air valve of any suitable construction, and removably attach to said socket, after a bulb A has been placed therein, an inflatable body of rubber or other suitable fabric.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, I have shown a practical embodiment of the invention. Referring to these drawings, in which similar reference numerals refer to corresponding parts,-

Figure 1 is an elevation of my improvement with an attached balloon shown in collapsed form;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the balloon inflated; and

- Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view. The electric light socket is designated by the numeral 1. Its wall and threaded terminalare cut away at any suitable point as, for instance, at 2 to accommodate an air valve 3. l is a light bulb and 5a collapsible hollow body which in the drawings is shown as a small balloon. Thi balloon has narrow neck portion 6, which is provided with a bead 7, and tohold it in place on the socket when expanded I provide an adjustable circumfer cntial member 8 which is preferably flexible. This binding ring 8 is reenforced by a shoulder 9 on the socket which also aids in retaining said circumferential member in place and prevents its slipping. For many uses, however, it will be found that the bead 7 is alone suflicient to hold the balloon in place, being made so heavy in character that it provides the necessary tight contact with the socket. In the construction of my device, it is essential that the base of the socket be airtight. The ordinary commercial electric light. socket of the trade is not as a rule airtight in this respect (except when it is intended for outdoor use), as there is a certain amount of air leak age around the lead-in wires. This defect can be easily cured, however, but for economical and other reasons, it may be found desirable to make a special socket for the purpose as, for instance, by moulding. In such case, the air valve would form practically an integral part of the socket, being moulded in the same. Another advantage of a moulded socket would be that the shoulder 9 could be made more pronounced for the purpose described. 7

While I have shown a well-known type of air valve in the drawings, it is obvious that an ordinary flap valve would be suitable where small balloons or the like are to be employe-d. Forlarge or elaborate constructions,

drawn over the bulb and the end of the socket, and fastened on the latter by having its beaded end drawn under the binding ring 8 which holds it firmly in place, assisted b the shoulder 9. The balloon is then inflate through the air valve, operated by the human mouth or by mechanical means, its cap 10 being removed for that purpose.

In the drawings, the inflated body is shown as a spherical balloon, merely for ease of illustration. It is obvious that this may be made of any form, material or color desired to tone with the style of decoration of which it is to form a part, or to harmonize, with the use to which it is to be put. Consequently, where my improvement is used for interior decoration, the material employed will be of a firmer and more lasting texture than is required for in door or outdoor a'iiairs where it forms part of a display whose installation is to be for a comparatively short. time.

It is clear, too, that while I have shown my invention embodied in a single socket, it may be readily adapted to multiple sockets.

I do not limit myself: to the exact construction shown as various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, an electric light socket having a part of its wall and threaded contact member cut away, and an air valve mounted in said cut away part, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the character described, in

combination, an elcrtric light socket, an electric light bulb therein, a collapsible body attached to said socket, the wall and threaded member of the socket being cut away in part, and a valve so mounted in said cut away part that the air for the inflation of the collapsible body is forced into the same between the threaded member and the base of the bulb, substantially as set forth.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with an electric light socket having a part of its wall and threaded member cut away, an electric light bulb, and a collapsible boc ly connected to said socket, of means so mounted in the cut away part of the socket that the operation of said means causes the fiuid for the inflation of the said body to enter the same in contact with the threaded member of the socket, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN H. MODES. 

